Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-07-14
A NIGHT WITH JOHN MCCULLOUGH.
Story of Detective Employed to Watch Over
Him in His Latter Days.
Hhicar., Herald


Chicago Herald.
"Oue of The most peculiar experiences
ever had in my life,n said veteran de-
tectlve the other day as he turned the key
in the sweat box" and locked in some
poor criminal, was the night / passed
with John Mccullough at the Chicago
Club in 1884 During the day the poor
tragedian began to show signs of insanity,
and Joseph Brooks, his manager, feared
that he would commit suicide. In the
evening his friends induced him TO 60 10
the Chicago Club, where they hoped 80
keep him amused until he went TO sleep
or became more rational. Brooks sent
over to our office for man to watch him,
and | was detailed for the service. My
instructions we're TO keep him In the club
house, if possible, but to use no violence
unless he attem pied to do himself some
injury. l didn't much like the under
taking, as Mccullough was an exceedingly
powerful man, and | knew that his in
sanity would give him more than his usual
strength.
"When / reached the club house McCul-
Tough was lying on sofa, apparently
asleep, and b! his side was heavy black
thorn stick At table playing cards
were two members of his company, who
were there for the same purpose as my
self. AS everything seemed to be quiet
sat down in a chair and soon went off
into doze, Suddenly | saw Mccullough
get up from the sofa, aud, with his cane
in hand, walk over TO the table where the
card. players were. As he approached
the table he raised the stick and brought
it down with terrific force upon the head
eff the man nearest him. The man drop
ped to the floor like log, but before
Mccullough could do any more damage
with the stick we had him pinned to the
flour. | knew that he was strong man,
but had no idea how great his strength
until then. For nearly half an hour we
wrestled and struggled with him, until all
three of us was completely blown At
last he gave up and seemed to become
more rational. This TOOK place about l
O'Clock ia the morning, ana as there was
no one else within hearing we had to
leave the injured man on the floor until
we could conquer Mccullough. When we
picked the fellow up he was unconscious,
and his hair and face were covered with
blood which came from large scalp
wound given by the cane. We at once
sent for Brooks and as it was desirable
that the affair should be kept quiet. he
took him to the County Hospital in car
riage, where il was at first thought that
his skull had been fractured. Luckily,
however, this was not .he case, and, al
though obliged to remain in the hospital
nearly month, he has suffered no i'll
effects 81 ace.
ain the meantime Mccullough became
perfectly rational, ana asked me my name
and what | was doing. l told him that
was steward of the club, but was DESTROYS
of becoming an acter. We talked pleas
antly for a few moments, when suddenly
Mccullough sprang to his feet and began
to spout lines from 'Yirginius' and other
of his plays.
Can you use the broadsword?' said he
suddenly.
"To humor him, l replied that i could,
when he at once called upon me to pro-
duce the weapons. There were couple
of small canes in the room, and / gave
him one of these, taking the other my
self. He thought that he really had
sword in his hand, and made a lunge at
me. Iparried the blow-l've seen consid
cradle service in the cavalry and we went
at it hot and heavy. Mccullough soon
became exhausted, however, and again
became rational. Well, to make long
story short, we passed the night, that
way, alternately fencing and ta)N'ng.
Occasionally Mccullough would can for
Kate Forsyth, and at such times, even in
the midst of VIOLENT defamation, his
voice would become low and sweet, and
tears would come to his eyes. never
felt such pity for man in my life, but
just the same | was mighty glad when
was relieved in the morning"